Tomas Borovjak turns the key and has to give the door a little push before he gets into the house, which dates from 1896. The living room is almost empty. There is an old fireplace and the original cladding is visible. – I hope we can take care of the old windows. I think they are so beautiful. There may be some who think this house looks like a ruin, but we see the potential here, says Tomas. – Didn’t think about finances The family moved from Bergen to Bolstadøyri, a small village in Voss county three years ago. When they were out for a walk one day, they discovered a small note in the glass of the old house in the center of Bolstad. “For sale” it said. – We knew from the day we saw the note that we wanted this. Without thinking about economics or realism. We just thought that we want this house. It has charm and soul, says Tomas. The house gives the impression that no one has lived in it for over 35 years. But now the new owners have new plans. – This house can contribute to the whole street getting more life. When Tomas Borovjak saw the note in the window, he knew he wanted to buy the house that was for sale. The house is in a simple empirical style. A style that arose in France under Emperor Napoleon, and is therefore called imperial style. The house has a slate roof, original cross-posted windows, horizontal cladding and an elaborate entrance area. The house gives the impression of many different eras with different styles. “Tinder” for old houses The Borovjak family is a model for the project that Voss herad is now working on. They have joined a national pilot project called “Lights in Old Houses” under the auspices of the Ancient Heritage Association. The National Antiquarian has referred to the project as “peaks” for old buildings. The project will get houses that are empty and in disrepair to be taken care of and, with the right measures, brought back into use. There are no statistics on how many houses in Norway are actually empty today. But a report from Statistics Norway from 2012 points to the fact that over 200,000 dwellings in Norway may be uninhabited. Light in old houses A three-year national project under the auspices of the Ancient Heritage Association. Voss herad is the sixth municipality to join the pilot project. Previously, the municipalities Heim in Trøndelag, Vinje in Vestfold Telemark, Kvitsøy in Rogaland, Rollag in Viken and Sør-Aurdal in Inlandet participated. The project has received grants from the National Archives, the Bergesenstiftelsen, the Husbanken and the Sparebankstiftinga Hardanger. Fortidsminneforeininga Voss local team is involved in the project. The project lasts until the autumn of 2025, with the aim of a concrete proposal for a permanent national investment. Need more housing – Many people want to live in Voss, but people struggle to find a place to live. Especially those who are interested in a small farm or older house, says Tora Lie Brunborg, building conservation consultant at Voss Folkemuseum and project manager for Light in old houses in Voss. She wants to put the spotlight on the great potential that lies in the old houses. The project tackles several challenges the village is facing. It is about the need for labour, housing shortages and a focus on reuse. – We know the climate consequences of building new. When we then have quite a few buildings that are empty, there is something about getting them into use, says Brunborg. On a global basis, the construction industry accounts for 40 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions. In Norway around 15 per cent. Tora Lie Brunborg, building conservation consultant at Voss Folkemuseum and project manager for Light in old houses, Voss. Photo: Tale Hauso / news Busetnaden in the center of Bolstad is characterized by 19th-century houses. Photo: Tale Hauso / news Looking for an old house Mathilde Kähler Rusten is one of those who has expressed interest and is looking for an old house. Rusten himself has experienced that it is difficult to get hold of housing in Voss. – I myself have had my private rounds around Voss to look for empty houses. There are quite a few houses, but not many are for sale. She thinks it is extremely important that Voss is now involved in the project, both to make use of the houses that are already there, but also to take care of them. – I really want to be involved in this, and I am very excited about what comes up. Mathilde Kähler Rusten is looking for an old house in Voss. Photo: Tale Hauso / news Large project First in the project, a survey must be made of which buildings are empty according to agreement with the owner. Craftsmen will be able to carry out a simple condition report that tells what is needed to put the building into use. – You can get guidance, for example, by getting help to apply for funds, and the potential for restoration, conversion, letting or hall, says project manager Brunborg. Then it’s about matching the building and the people who want to live in it. Some of the municipalities involved in the pilot project have had several houses mapped. Someone has got new owners who are already in the process of putting it in order. – Through the mapping, we have also seen that there are specific challenges and reasons why houses are out of use, says Bianca Wessel, project manager for Light in old houses. Tomas Borovjak and the children have many plans for the house. Project manager Tora Lie Brunborg is there to see. Photo: Tale Hauso / news – Good to not be alone Tomas Borovjak, who owns the house on Bolstadøyri, thinks it is important that there is a greater focus on taking care of old buildings. He believes the project can bring together people who are in the same situation as them to exchange ideas, challenges and solutions. In addition to the fact that they can get help and support. – It can be good to know that we are not alone in this big project of ours. They dream that there will be activity in the house again. Not just by the family, but by the whole town of Bolstad and other guests. – The dream now is that there will be light and life in the house again.
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Many old houses stand empty. Pilot project will now get light in old houses – news Vestland
